Sutton Stracke’s Tortoise Sunglasses on Instagram

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Instagram Fashion 2021

Sutton Stracke’s tortoise sunglasses that she wore during a quick trip back home to Augusta, Georgia for Thanksgiving totally caught our eye(s). And if they did yours too, well then you probably shouldn’t wait till Christmas to add them to Santa’s your Nordstrom shopping bag.

Fashionably,

Faryn

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Photo: @SuttonStracke

Originally posted at: Sutton Stracke’s Tortoise Sunglasses

I stepped on a pickleball court 29 years ago, and it was love at first sight. Yet if I happened to mention my passion for pickleball to work colleagues or certain friends, my enthusiasm would be met with a heavy dose of snark and “pickleball shaming.”

In the early 90s, pickleball was often perceived as a game for the shuffleboard crowd. I finally reached a tipping point where I stopped talking about pickleball all together. It was easier that way.

Times Change, for Pickleball Too

Fast forward a few decades, and the pandemic has fueled pickleball’s popularity across all generations and international time zones. The sport is now played in 67 countries, governed by the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP). Two professional pickleball tours are showcased on network television, and Major League Pickleball debuted this month near Austin, Texas.

For the few uninitiated who are still wondering what pickleball is, it’s a fast-paced paddle game played with a plastic ‘whiffle’ ball, on a badminton-sized court. It can be played as doubles or singles, but only the serving team can score.

All serves must be made underhanded, and the goal is to reach 11 points first, through a fast-paced series of dinks, drives and lobs. And you must stay out of the non-volley-zone widely known as the ‘kitchen’.

My Pickleball World

In my world, pickleball is much more than a game. It’s where I find joy in a deadline-driven life. Pickleball allows me to tune out the noise, focusing instead on hitting a fluorescent green ball where my opponents can’t reach it.

It’s where I find laughter. Best of all, it’s where I can indulge my inner child and my competitive side at the same time. Gratefully, my three adult children all play pickleball with me and understand this.

Enter Brené Brown

Imagine my surprise and amazement, when two of my favorite worlds collided recently. I’ve been a fan of Brené Brown since her first record-breaking TED Talk in 2010. After addressing vulnerability, this celebrity academic produced a Netflix documentary on courage, and her fifth book just released.

Her appeal?

Brenéshares her research on human emotion and behavior with self-deprecating humor and empathy. In short, Brenéis a refreshing antidote to our uncertain times. As a role model, nothing could be more gratifying or amazing than to realize Brené also finds her happy place on the pickleball court.

Here’s what she wrote on Instagram, to her 3.7M followers:

And if the emotional benefits alone don’t prompt you to pick up a paddle, playing pickleball can positively impact your reflexes, balance, cardio strength and weight. If you are interested in finding a place near you to play pickleball, visit www.places2play.org. Until next time, as Brené would say, “Stay awkward, brave and kind (on and off the court)”.

Do you play a sport? Have you tried pickleball? What games make your blood boil in your veins? Do you jump for joy when you do a particular activity? What is it?

Kristin Cavallari’s Tan Pom Pom Sweater on Instagram

Kristin Cavallari Instagram Fashion 2021

While people in the comments were apparently up in arms about Kristin Cavallari not showing her kids’ faces in this pic on Instagram (hey, respect her privacy y’all!), we’re just #thankful that she posted a frontal view of her cute tan pom pom sweater. Which needless to say makes us want to get our arms up and into asap. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

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Photo: @KristinCavallari

Originally posted at: Kristin Cavallari’s Tan Pom Pom Sweater

Kyle Richards’ Green Floral Maxi Dress at the Italian Dinner

Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Season 1 Episode 5 Fashion

While Teresa Giudice’s Italian night on episode 5 of RHUGT was supposed to be about the food, for us it was definitely about the fighting over glam fashion like Kyle Richards’ green floral maxi dress. Which may be sold out, however we’ve served up some equally Fabulicious Style Stealers for you to get a taste of down below. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

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Originally posted at: Kyle Richards’ Green Floral Maxi Dress

Being a family caregiver can be both a full-time job and life’s sole purpose during its duration. One thing is certain, though: The cycle of life continues, and loved ones die.

What then? How do you cope with the void? How do you define a new purpose or reinvigorate an old one? Chris MacLellan, the Bow-Tie Guy, helped me sort it out.

The story of Chris and his partner, Richard, was chronicled as a 2015 Pulitzer Prize winning story in the Sun Sentinel, Florida. It is a story of healing and hope and has been read by almost half a million people.

Combating Isolation

It is necessary to set up your post-caregiving life during the caregiving itself. For example, oftentimes family caregivers become isolated. They do not see their friends as much. They turn down social invitations. And in such situation friends are not sure what to do or say.

As those bonds weaken, it takes an effort after the caregiving is over to reestablish those connections or build new friendships. For Chris, after the caregiving was over, the isolation intensified.

Caregivers Are Not Prepared

Talking about the end of a caregiving journey is not dissimilar to talking about the beginning. In both cases, people are thrust into new roles and are woefully unprepared.

Chris says that simply being aware that your caregiving journey will end someday is an important first step. Just as the caregiving hits you over the head, so does the void it creates when it is over.

Getting to Acceptance

Caregivers experience all kinds of emotions when the journey is over. There is relief. There is sadness that the life you once had is gone. There is the guilt of moving on. It can take time to get to acceptance.

For me personally, acceptance came after I took up the offer of grief counseling from the hospice where Mom spent her final hours. For Chris, it came through advocacy and writing a book. Each of us has found our own way of processing.

Maybe you keep a journal and can find comfort in that. Or you immerse yourself in a cause that is related to what a loved one went through. Acceptance is different for everyone. It will happen for you in its time.

Take Care of the Person in Front of You

We try to teach caregivers about taking care of themselves while they are still on the journey. Many do not. In fact, a large number of caregivers predecease the person for whom they are caring.

That was the case with my sister. If you can’t learn the lesson during the caregiving, heed it afterwards. Take stock of your overall well-being. Take care of your physical and emotional self.

Support Needed

Whether you follow what I did and seek grief support afterwards or continue to attend caregiver support groups, it is essential to talk with others.

Unfortunately, there are few, if any, after-care support groups, so often we are left to our own devices about how to cope, where to turn and with whom to talk. The needs of the after-caregiver are different, yet they need to be met.

Health providers have a role in this support. Often, caregivers are ignored by health providers. Statistics show that one in three providers will ask for family caregiver input during the caregiving, and only one in six will ask the caregiver themselves about their own health.

This approach needs to change on many levels and for many reasons, not the least of which is that talking to caregivers improves quality and safety.

Luckily, my physician recognized my caregiver stress early on and addressed it with concern. Now, with Mom gone, he still monitors how I am coping. Choosing the right physician – not just for mom or dad, but for yourself – is critical. Shop around.

Prepare Now

The minute you realize you are in a caregiving situation, you need to prepare for the end of it, according to Chris. In his case, his partner was advocating for Chris to take care of himself.

If you want to watch my interview with Chris and 51 other experts, take a look at our virtual Caregiver Summit.

How about yourself? What can you tell the community about life after caregiving and what tips can you offer? Please share your insights in the comments below.